Customs’ National Single-Window project gets a lift from the EU

THE European Union (EU) has approved a technical assistance package that will help connect the Bureau of Customs (BOC) with 10 government agencies as part of the National Single-Window Transaction (NSWT) project.

Customs deputy commissioner Alexander Arevalo said the package could be worth euros 1 million to 2 million, although the total project requirement is in the neighborhood of euros 6 million.

Arevalo said the funding balance will be sourced from 40 donor agencies.

The ten agencies that will be connected to the BOC are the Philippine Coconut Authority, Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, Quarantine, Bureau of Plant Industries, National Meat Inspection Service, Fertilizer and Pesticide Authority, National Dairy Authority — all under the Department of Agriculture — Bureau of Internal Revenue, Bureau of Import Service and the Philippine Shippers Bureau.

The technical assistance is on top of the first euros 1.3-million grant of the EU in 2004 for the BOC’s shift to AsycudaWorld from Asycuda.

Ten computer terminals are now testing electronic submission of customs data and electronic release of permits between the BOC and the 10 agencies.

The NSWT is a prelude to the imposition of the Asean Single-Window Transaction system set to be enforced by the Philippines this year.

The single-window plan will link all government agencies to customs offices. Importers will no longer secure documentation for their imports and exports from one government agency to another.

“Under the plan, all transactions will be done through computers or mobile phones while person-to-person business dealings in the BOC will be reduced,” Arevalo said.